Israeli climate biotech company Brevel is extending its illuminated fermentation technology into the plant cell culture sector through a new collaboration with coffee cell-culture specialist Coffeesai.

The partnership marks a significant step in Brevel's strategy to apply its proprietary biomanufacturing platform beyond microalgae production and into emerging alternative ingredient categories, including cultivated coffee, cocoa and other plant-derived products.

Brevel said its illuminated fermentation technology combines controlled fermentation with targeted light exposure inside closed bioreactors, enabling plant cells to grow more efficiently while stimulating the production of valuable natural compounds.

The company is using the collaboration with Coffeesai as a proof point for the platform's ability to support commercial-scale production of plant cell cultures, an area attracting increasing investment as food manufacturers seek more climate-resilient supply chains.

Plant cell culture technology enables companies to grow plant cells directly in bioreactors rather than relying on traditional agriculture, offering year-round production with reduced dependence on land, water and weather conditions.

The technology is drawing particular interest in coffee, where climate change is expected to place increasing pressure on global production. Industry estimates suggest that up to half of current coffee-growing land could become unsuitable for cultivation by 2050 due to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

Brevel CEO and co-founder Yonatan Golan said: "Our work in coffee cell cultures serves as a case study for the capabilities of our illuminated fermentation infrastructure. We have demonstrated the platform's ability to achieve high cell densities while sustaining continuous growth through an advanced semi-continuous cultivation process."

According to Brevel, the process uses precisely controlled light exposure to influence cell metabolism and encourage the production of desirable compounds linked to flavour, aroma and nutritional value. Early trials have shown that varying light profiles can affect the sensory characteristics of the resulting biomass.

Coffeesai CEO Ami Herman described the initial findings as encouraging, noting that the company continues to assess the platform's potential as it develops pathways towards larger-scale production.

The move into plant cell culture has been supported by a US$1 million grant from the Israel Innovation Authority, awarded specifically to help Brevel expand its illuminated fermentation technology into plant cell culture and adjacent industries.

Alongside its work with Coffeesai, Brevel revealed it is collaborating with US-based plant cell technology company Ayana Bio and an undisclosed cocoa cell-culture start-up, signalling broader ambitions within the emerging sector.

Brevel claims its technology addresses several limitations associated with conventional dark fermentation processes by using light to stimulate biological pathways that would otherwise remain inactive. The company says this can improve growth rates, increase production consistency and enhance the profile of bioactive compounds produced by plant cells.

To support commercialisation, Brevel has established a three-stage development model that takes projects from proof-of-concept through pilot-scale production and ultimately to full commercial manufacturing.

Its production facility currently operates illuminated fermenters at scales ranging from 50 litres to 5,000 litres under FSSC 22000 and HACCP certifications.

Founded as a climate-focused biotechnology company, Brevel initially commercialised illuminated fermentation for microalgae production in the nutraceutical sector. The company has raised US$30 million to date and is now targeting broader opportunities across the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.